A mournful rendering of the Last Post welcomed customers to the charity Christmas card card shop at the Community Centre on Conduit Hill on Remembrance Day. Nigel Bassett, who also played the Reveille following the two-minute silence, and four other members of the Hastings Temple Salvation Army band, played outside the shop and brought in more customers than a damp Saturday would normally attract.
Town Crier Rex Swain had earlier been shouting himself hoarse in Cinque Ports Street to alert passers-by, helped by Sandra Sarkies, one of the volunteers at the shop, who pointed visitors to the town towards the Community Centre. The band played seasonal songs and carols for a full hour and thanks to their help the shop’s takings are now up on the same time last year.
The shop is open, selling cards for more than 35 charities until December 16, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm, at the Community Centre on Conduit Hill.
Photos: Kenneth Bird